from the Car Park
Here it is, September 11, 2015…exactly one year after the Duke of Wellington Tour visited Highclere Castle, perhaps better known as Downton Abbey. We were all fans of the show, some more than others, but all thrilled to see the setting for many years of Masterpiece Theater evenings.
The Castle’s website is here.
We rather expected the Earl of Canarvon to welcome us, but apparently he was urgently called away.
(Photo of the library from the website)
We were not alone, but it was not crowded. Tickets carefully controlled it seems.
Can you ever get enough of the view of the castle — all those Victorian Gothic points, not
to mention it’s sheer size.
If it reminds you of the Houses of Parliament in London, blame
the same architect, Sir Charles Barry
Here are some views of the interior, from the web, as no pictures were allowed inside.
The Gallery
The Saloon
The Dining Room, in a scene from Downton Abbey
The Music Room
OUR PICTURES AGAIN…
ABOVE AND BELOW, THE ENTRANCE
ABOVE AND BELOW, THE STABLE BLOCK, A.K.A. THE GIFT SHOP
Always ready for a break for lunch
Views of the Park
The ubiquitous sheep
Heaven’s Gate, A folly in the mist
Starting the trek across the lawn to Jackdaws Castle
Jackdaws Castle was built in 1743 by Robert Herbert using Corinthian Columns
from Berkeley House in London which burned down in 1733
Highclere from Jackdaws
One of the many graceful old cedar trees
The Gardens
Hmmm…a warning
Looks pretty harmless to me
Recently we heard that the Queen is a fan of Downton Abbey, watching for little errors. Click here for the story.
Very soon, Downton will return on TV screens in the UK. On January 3, 2016, Downton Abbey returns to MASTERPIECE on PBS with its 6th and final season set in 1925.
For the Season 6 trailer, click here. Spoiler alert: It bodes ill!
For lots more information from PBS, click here.
